GE at CES

One of the big pushes at CES 2011 is green technology. GE is a major part of this push with their ecomagination products. GE (General Electric) is attending CES for the first time in 2011 to show off their eco-friendly devices including WattStation and Nucleus. The WattStation is a device used to charge up electric cars, in a fraction of the time that it takes to do now. Currently it can take from 12-18 hours to charge up the car, the Wattstation decreases the time to as little as 4-8 hours. The WattStation integrates directly into the electrical distribution system. It will be a part of the smart grid allowing utility companies to manage the impact of electric cars on the electric grid. There will be a commercial version available version in 2011 and a special home version will be available later this year. The device is designed by industrial designer Yves Behar. It is also upgradeable and can keep up with the latest technology. GE will provide expert installation and allow consumers to pay for it overtime.

The second device that GE is showing off at CES is the Nucleus The Nucleus communicates with a smart meter and tell the user how much electricity their devices are using. The secure information is then sent directly to a computer and in the near future a smart phone in almost real-time. The system updates every 15 seconds. It also allows you to control your thermostat directly from your computer and soon your cell phone This devices allows users to determine how their electricity is being used. With this knowledge consumers can manage their electric usage better and lower their electric bills. It will also help the consumers determine if a device is having problems before they receive a huge electric bill. GE is hoping that overtime this will reduce overall electricity consumption and therefore the need for fossil fuel.